Byzantine-era church uncovered in Israel

A 1,500-year-old church complete with a sophisticated mosaic was uncovered by archaeologists in southern Israel.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) say the Byzantine-era
structure "probably served as a center of Christian worship for
neighboring communities."

The discovery was made during a routine salvage excavation conducted
by the IAA prior to the construction of a new neighborhood in the area.

The building is approximately 72 feet long by 40 feet wide and
consists of a central hall with two side aisles divided by marble
pillars. An open courtyard at the front of the structure is paved with a
white mosaic floor and a cistern....